Illuminated component

ABSTRACT

An illuminable component having a two-dimensionally extending decorative element which has at least one translucent region and at least one non-translucent region. A lighting source serves to illuminate the at least one translucent region. A light-filtering layer is arranged between the decorative element and the lighting source, the layer being integrally attached to a rear side of the decorative element by injection molding. A structure is provided that completely absorbs and/or scatters light when the lighting source is transported to the specified edge. As a result, leakage light at an edge of the component can be reliably avoided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/580,764 filed Aug. 23,2012, claiming priority based on International Application No.PCT/CH2011/000024 filed Feb. 10, 2011, claiming priority based on SwissPatent Application No. 0232/10 filed Feb. 25, 2010, the contents of allof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The invention relates to an illuminable component having a visible face,an edge surrounding the visible face and a rear face, comprising atwo-dimensionally extending decorative element having at least onetranslucent region and at least one non-translucent region, anilluminating element for illuminating the at least one translucentregion and at least one light-guiding layer arranged between thedecorative element and the illuminating element, said layer beingattached to a rear face of the decorative element.

Such components are, for example, provided as door sill strips forvehicles. They may be attached at a corresponding point on the vehiclebodywork, for example by latching means. On the upper face and/orvisible face of the component, the translucent region forms, forexample, a printed text or/and a symbol. An illuminating element, forexample a luminous film, LEDs or the like are arranged inside thecomponent, said illuminating element illuminating the translucent regionthrough the transparent light-guiding layer. The two-dimensionallyextending decorative element in this case is, for example, a metal sheetwhich has been shaped in an injection-moulding tool by beinginjection-moulded from the rear with the light-guiding layer. This layerpreferably surrounds the entire rear face of the decorative element.

In such a component, therefore, there is the problem that in the mountedstate leakage light may emerge from the edge through a gap which in manycases is barely avoidable, which is generally not desirable. Suchleakage light could per se be avoided in a simple manner, by a frameconsisting of non-translucent plastics material being injected onto thelight-guiding layer. Thus, for example, DE-C-40 06 649 discloses aswitch cover in which a transparent plastics material isinjection-moulded onto a two-dimensionally extending decorative element.In order to avoid the undesirable escape of light, a cover body made ofnon-translucent plastics material is additionally injection-moulded ontothe decorative element. Said plastics material surrounds the transparentplastics material in the shape of a frame. EP-A-0 703 051 discloses acomponent for producing a pushbutton. A transparent light guide panel isinjection-moulded onto the rear face of a decorative element. Said lightguide panel is surrounded by a non-translucent frame which isinjection-moulded onto the decorative element and the light guide panel.WO 98/49700 discloses a cover part which comprises a transparent insertaround which a non-transparent material is injection-moulded.

The aforementioned components are generally mass-produced parts whichhave to be produced in very high quantities. Requirements are set forsuch components that they are able to be produced cost-effectively andthus are functionally reliable and meet high aesthetic standards. It isessential, in particular, that the visible face has an attractivesurface and leakage light is able to be avoided, in particular, on theedge of the component.

The object of the invention is to provide a component of theaforementioned type in which leakage light may be substantially avoidedand which nevertheless may be produced cost-effectively.

The object is achieved in a generic component by an element beingprovided which substantially completely absorbs and/or scatters lightwhen conveyed by the illuminating element through the at least onelight-guiding layer to the aforementioned edge. Such an element may, forexample, have a pigment which is incorporated, for example, in thelight-guiding layer and/or in an adhesive layer and/or in a furtherlayer. In this case, use is made of the fact that the path of the lightfrom the illuminating element to the translucent region is substantiallyshorter than the path to a possible leakage point on the edge of thecomponent. The light may be substantially completely absorbed and/orscattered, for example, by such a pigment on the relatively long path tothe possible leakage point. As a result of the scattering, leakage lightmay be substantially entirely avoided. The light-absorbing and/orscattering element may also be present only in a partial region of thelight-guiding layer and/or in the further layer and/or the adhesivelayer and/or in the decorative element. In the component according tothe invention, therefore, leakage points are potentially able to belarger than in known components. The invention permits, therefore, inparticular the production of components with greater productiontolerances, as light is substantially absorbed and/or scattered in thecomponent before reaching the possible leakage point and thustroublesome leakage light may be avoided. Substantially completeabsorption and/or scattering is present, therefore, when the lightintensity has been reduced by 90%, the light intensity at the leakagepoint being at most still 10% of the light intensity present in theilluminated region, measured in cd/m². Preferably, however, thereduction is greater and is preferably 99%. In this case, if the lightintensity in the illuminated region is 100 cd/m² (Candela) at theleakage point it is at most 10 cd/m² and preferably at most 1 cd/m².

According to a development of the invention, the adhesive layer is onthe rear face of the decorative element. The adhesive layer and/or thefurther layer is, for example, an adhesion agent, an adhesive orlacquer. Said adhesive layer permits a fixed connection of theinjection-moulded light-guiding layer to the decorative element. Thedecorative element may, therefore, be completely injection-moulded tothe rear with the light-guiding layer. The light-guiding layer thusshapes the two-dimensionally extending decorative element during theinjection-moulding process. As the decorative element is onlyinjection-moulded to the rear with the at least one light-guiding layer,it is possible to ensure an exact shaping and thus an external faceand/or visible face of the decorative element which has the desiredshape. The light-guiding layer and the decorative element may thus bevery easily and thus accurately produced as a unit. This unit may thenbe joined to the illuminating element and optionally a housing. Thecomponent produced in this manner may be used for producing, forexample, a sill strip, a decorative strip, an operating element or apushbutton. The decorative element is, for example, an element for amotor vehicle, for example a sill strip, central console, roof console,door, door lining, or even a display inside the motor vehicle. Aconfiguration of the decorative element as a switch or even merely as aswitch button is also conceivable. Applications of the invention forilluminated elements are also conceivable, for example for domesticappliances, for example refrigerators, steamers, washing machines,ovens, cookers, dishwashers or items of furniture and the like.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that thetwo-dimensionally extending decorative element extends at leastpartially over the aforementioned edge. The light-guiding layer in thiscase is preferably also configured so that it extends at least as far asthe edge. Preferably, this edge is peripheral. Thus a particularlyrobust and yet aesthetically attractive component may be produced.

The light-absorbing and/or light-scattering element according to adevelopment is arranged in the light-guiding layer. Said element, forexample and in particular, comprises a pigment which is presenthomogenously or non-homogenously in an injection-moulded layer. Inparticular, titanium dioxide or cobalt blue or carbon black are suitableas pigments. According to an alternative embodiment it is provided thatthe light-absorbing and/or light-scattering element is arranged in theadhesive layer and/or the further layer on the rear face of thedecorative element. The adhesive layer and/or the further layer may bearranged on a rear face of the decorative element and/or on a furtherelement of the component adjacent to the light-guiding layer, such asfor example the surface of a housing, and/or the material from whichsuch a component consists, comprises the light-absorbing and/orlight-scattering element. The adhesive layer may, for example, be formedby an adhesion agent (for example black coloured heat sealing enamel),for example an adhesive (for example black coloured epoxy-based orpolyurethane-based adhesive) or, for example, by a lacquer (for exampleblack coloured polyester lacquer). The aforementioned further layer is,for example, a film (for example a black polyethylene film), for examplegalvanized black chrome plating or a layer consisting of titanium carbonnitride or titanium oxynitride.

The light-absorbing and/or light-scattering element may be present inthe light-guiding layer and/or in the adhesive layer and/or in thefurther layer and/or in the decorative element of the component.

In principle, the rear face of the two-dimensionally extendingdecorative element may also be configured to be light-absorbing. Anadhesive layer and/or a further layer and/or a decorative element withlight-absorbing and/or light-scattering element and/or light-absorbingand/or light-scattering element in the light-conducting layer are thusnot imperative. For example, the rear face of the decorative element maybe configured to be light-absorbing by chemical modification, such asfor example nitrating, and thus the incorporation of nitrogen.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that betweenthe decorative element and the light-guiding layer a transparent film isarranged which extends at least over the translucent region of thedecorative element. Said transparent film is preferably free from anylight-absorbing and/or light-scattering element. Thus it is achievedthat a particularly large amount of light passes from the illuminatingelement to the illuminated region. The transparent film is preferablyinjection-moulded from the rear by the light-guiding layer andpreferably engages at least partially in at least one opening of thedecorative element.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that thecomponent comprises a housing with which it may be fastened to anobject, for example a vehicle body or the like. The fastening takesplace, for example, by latching means or the like. The housing ispreferably also configured so that it is able to receive theilluminating element. Preferably, the housing is configured so that itshields the illuminating element so that the light is not able to escapeto the rear and to the side. Preferably, the regions of the housingwhich are adjacent to the light-guiding layer have at least partially,preferably entirely, an adhesive layer and/or a further layer with alight-absorbing and/or light-scattering element, and/or the materialfrom which the housing consists, comprises a light-absorbing and/orlight-scattering element.

A particularly decorative component may be produced according to adevelopment if the decorative element is produced from metal.Preferably, the decorative element is a film or a sheet, for example ametal film or a metal sheet, in particular a steel film or steel sheet,a light metal film or a light metal sheet.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained hereinafter in moredetail with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a section through a component according tothe invention which is mounted on a part which is also in section,

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged partial section according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a section according to FIG. 1, the two-dimensionallyextending decorative element being lifted away with the light-guidinglayer injection-moulded to the rear,

FIG. 4 shows schematically a section through a mounted componentaccording to the invention according to a variant,

FIG. 5 shows schematically an enlarged partial section according to FIG.4 and

FIG. 6 shows schematically a three-dimensional view of a mountedcomponent according to the invention.

The component 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is fastened to a rear face 3 on apart 23, for example a vehicle body. The component 1 may, for example,be bonded to an upper face 25 of the part 23 or even mechanicallyfastened, for example, by latching means, not shown here. Said latchingmeans may, for example, be arranged on the lower face 3 of a housing 14.The component 1 is, for example, a sill strip, a decorative strip, anoperating element, for example provided for a fitting or for producing apushbutton. Said component has a front face 2 which forms at leastpartially a visible face, an edge 4 surrounding the front face 2, saidedge having an outer face 13. The edge 4 and the outer face 13 arepreferably peripheral, which however is not imperative. The front face 2may be two-dimensionally extending. However, also possible is anembodiment with an uneven front face which, for example, has groovesand/or ribs.

The front face 2 and preferably also the outer face 13 of the edge 4 isand/or are formed by a two-dimensionally extending decorative element 5.Said decorative element is, as may be seen, drawn to the side over theedge 4 and extends substantially as far as the upper face 25 of the part23. In principle, an embodiment is also conceivable in which thedecorative element has been drawn to the side but not downwards. As inparticular FIG. 2 shows, a gap 21 is present between a peripheral edge20 of the two-dimensionally extending decorative element 5 and the upperface 25. Said gap is generally very small, for example preferably 0.1 to0.2 mm wide. Preferably the gap 21 is 0.05 to 1 mm and even morepreferably 0.05 to 5 mm wide. The distance between the edge 20 and theupper face 25 in FIG. 2 is indicated by the double arrow 27. Such a gap21 may also be produced by unevenness of the part 23 on the upper face25.

The decorative element 5 has a translucent region 6 which may beilluminated and a non-translucent region 7. The region 6 may accordingto FIG. 6, for example, represent letters. However, in this case other,for example pictorial, symbols are also possible. The region 6 is, forexample, formed by stamped-out portions of the decorative element 5.Outside the region 6, the decorative element 5 is not permeable tolight. This is the case, for example, when the decorative element 5 isproduced from metal, for example from a steel sheet or light metalsheet. In principle, however, the decorative element 5 could also beproduced from a non-translucent plastics material. The decorativeelement 5 may also be multi-layered.

The decorative element 5 has a rear face 8 to which an adhesive layer 11is attached. Said adhesive layer 11 serves, in particular, to connect aninjection-moulded light-guiding layer 10 fixedly to the decorativeelement 5. The adhesive layer 11 may, for example, be an adhesion agent,an adhesive or a lacquer. Said adhesion agent, adhesive or lacquer arepreferably coloured black. Alternatively, the rear face 8 may bechemically treated. The rear face 8 may, for example, be made absorbentby nitriting. Also possible is the application of a galvanized blackchrome layer, a black polyethylene film or a layer of titanium carbonnitride or titanium oxynitride. The decorative element 5 isinjection-moulded from the rear with the light-guiding layer 10. Whenthe decorative element 5 is injection-moulded from the rear with thelight-guiding layer 10 the decorative element 5 is correspondinglyshaped in the injection-moulding tool. At the same time, thelight-guiding layer 10 is connected to the decorative layer 5. As isvisible, the light-guiding layer extends over the entire rear face 8 ofthe decorative element 5. It forms the translucent region 6 and also theedge 4, as well as according to FIG. 3 a peripheral front face 19. Itadditionally forms according to FIG. 3 a rear recess 17 with apreferably two-dimensionally extending inner face 16. Said recess 17serves for receiving an illuminating element 9 which are mounted in ahousing 14. The illuminating element 9 has, for example, alight-conducting layer into which light is radiated by LEDs, not shownhere. The illuminating element 9 may, however, for example also have aluminous film.

The light emitted by the illuminating element 9 passes through thelight-guiding layer 10 to the translucent region 6 and exits said regionas is indicated in FIG. 2 by light rays 28. Part of the light which isemitted by the illuminating element 9, however, does not emerge at thetranslucent region 6 but is radiated according to the indicated rays 28′to the side into the light-guiding layer 10. This light could, inprinciple, pass by means of reflection as far as the gap 21 which, as aresult, would form a leakage point. In order to prevent this, thelight-guiding layer 10 contains an element 24 which absorbs and/orscatters this light. The action of the absorption and/or scattering isadjusted such that substantially no light is able to reach the gap 21,thus the light on the path to this gap 21 is substantially completelyabsorbed and/or scattered. The absorption element and/or scatteringelement 24 is, for example, formed by a pigment, which is distributedhomogenously or non-homogenously in the light-guiding layer 10. Theabsorption element 24 may, in principle, also be present in thetranslucent region 6. The path which the light passes through from theilluminating element 9 to the front face 2 is relatively short, so thatin this case the corresponding absorption and/or scattering may bedisregarded. As may be seen, the path from the illuminating element 9 tothe gap 21 is much longer than from the illuminating element 9 to theouter face 2. Additionally, leakage light would have to alter directionby approximately 90° in the region of an edge 26.

Alternatively or additionally to the absorption element and/orscattering element 24 in the light-guiding layer, the adhesive layer 11may be provided with such an absorption element and/or scatteringelement. The housing 14 may also be provided with an absorption element.It is essential, therefore, that light not emerging from the translucentregion 6 is substantially completely absorbed and/or scattered on thepath to the gap 21.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a component 1′ which substantially corresponds to thecomponent 1, but additionally has a film 12 made of a translucentplastics material. This film 12 is injection-moulded from the rear bythe light-guiding layer 10 and engages in openings 29 of the decorativeelement 5. Said openings 29 are, for example, stamped-out portions. Thefront face 2 is thus partially formed by the film 12 beinginjection-moulded from the rear. As the film 12 is translucent andpreferably has no absorption element and/or scattering element, lesslight is absorbed and/or scattered on the path to the translucent region6. The film 12 is preferably inserted with the decorative element 5 intothe injection-moulding tool and when the light-guiding layer 10 isinjection-moulded from the rear, is plastically deformed together withthe decorative element 5. The decorative element 5 thus has to beinjection-moulded only once to the rear to form the light-guiding layer10. In this case, by means of the injection-moulding pressure, thedecorative element 5 is shaped on the corresponding tool part. Thedecorative element 5 injection-moulded from the rear is then placedaccording to FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrow 22 onto the housing 14on which the illuminating element 9 are mounted. The component 1 is nowready for mounting and may be fastened to a part 23 according to FIG. 6.Optionally, the illuminating element 9 may be connected via cables, notshown here, to an electrical power source.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Component-   2 Front face-   3 Rear face-   4 Edge-   5 Decorative element-   6 Translucent region-   7 Non-translucent region-   8 Rear face-   9 Illuminating element-   10 Light-guiding layer-   11 Adhesive layer-   12 Film-   13 Outer face-   14 Housing-   15 Recess-   16 Inner face-   17 Recess-   18 Upper face-   19 Front face-   20 Edge (decorative element)-   21 Gap-   22 Arrow-   23 Part-   24 Absorption element-   25 Upper face-   26 Edge-   27 Double arrow-   28 Light rays-   29 Openings

The invention claimed is:
 1. An illuminable component having a visibleface, an edge surrounding the visible face and a rear face comprising atwo-dimensionally extending decorative element produced from metal andhaving at least one translucent region and at least one non-translucentregion, an illuminating element for illuminating the at least onetranslucent region and at least one light-guiding layer arranged betweenthe decorative element and the illuminating element, said layer beingattached to a rear face of the decorative element, wherein an element isprovided which substantially completely absorbs and/or scatters lightwhen conveyed by the illuminating element to the aforementioned edge,and wherein the rear face of the decorative element is at leastpartially configured to be light-absorbing and/or light-scattering. 2.The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two-dimensionallyextending decorative element extends at least partially into the edge.3. The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-guiding layerextends at least as far as the region of the edge.
 4. The component asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the light-absorbing and/or light-scatteringelement is arranged in the light-guiding layer.
 5. The component asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the light-absorbing and/or light-scatteringelement comprises at least one pigment.
 6. The component as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the rear face of the decorative element is configuredto be light-absorbing by chemical modification.
 7. The component asclaimed in claim 1, wherein on the rear face of the decorative elementan adhesive layer or a further layer is arranged and that said adhesivelayer and/or further layer has at least partially the aforementionedelement for light absorption and/or light scattering.
 8. The componentas claimed in claim 1, wherein between the decorative element and thelight-guiding layer a transparent film is arranged which extends atleast over the translucent region of the decorative element.
 9. Thecomponent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the transparent film engages inat least one opening of the decorative element.
 10. The component asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the light-guiding layer is injection-mouldedonto the rear face of the decorative element.
 11. The component asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the light-guiding layer extendssubstantially over the entire region of the rear face of the decorativeelement.
 12. The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein thelight-guiding layer forms a relatively narrow region of an edge outerface.
 13. The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the decorativeelement is a film shaped in an injection-moulding tool.
 14. Thecomponent as claimed in claim 1, wherein it comprises a housing, whichsubstantially forms the rear face of the component.
 15. The component asclaimed in claim 1, wherein it is provided for producing a sill strip, adecorative strip, an operating element or a pushbutton.
 16. Thecomponent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the decorative element itselfis configured to be light-absorbing and/or light-scattering.
 17. Thecomponent as claimed in claim 16, wherein the decorative element has alight-absorbing and/or light-scattering element.
 18. The component asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the decorative element is multi-layered. 19.The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the decorative element isproduced from metal.
 20. The component as claimed in claim 19, whereinthe decorative element is a film or a sheet.